My happy place is my church, Asbury United Methodist across the street from Sheetz.I love seeing the packed parking lot because that means many of my friends and their children are in there.Growing up in a larger church, I used to get lost, so I like the fact that this brown brick building is not too imposing as I stand outside of it.The sidewalk leads to glass doors that open into a warm, earthy environment with cream colored tiles that lead to the brown carpeting.The entry way is very open since they took down a few other sets of doors and spread things out a few years ago.It is much more inviting.When I walk through the doors, I see smiling faces, I hear laughter, and I feel at home.What I really love about the narthex at the entrance is that depending on the direction I look, I can see everything.Looking to the right, the stairs lead up and down to the education and music areas, a place where I spend a lot of time singing in the choir and heading Sunday School as director. The tiled floor creates an echo in the hallway whenever the kids run up to their classrooms.Straight ahead is the office with the squeaky door that opens into the mauve colored room; it’s an inviting place, especially during the week because of the music the secretary always has playing. Behind me is Fellowship Hall and the kitchen, filled with the scents of coffee and breakfast goodies to welcome the morning. To the left is the sanctuary, separated by glass doors that give it a sense of hallowed ground.When I pull open the glass doors, they make a hushed sound, which provides a focus as we all enter.The brown carpeting and bricks with beautiful wood accents throughout create a sense of stability within my life.Thinking about Sunday mornings, it’s funny how everyone in the sanctuary seems to have his/her own “seat”, and it is wonderful to get in there early to catch up with my friends around me about their weeks. When I’m in here, the things that catch my attention the most, especially when the lights are dimmed, are the two stained glass windows at each side of the pulpit.I get mesmerized by them constantly.It’s hard to explain the sense of calmness that surrounds me in this place.Nothing has ever come close to the sense of comfort and peace of mind my church and its members provide for me.And I love the fact that my kids are just as comfortable in this place as I am.
My happy place is my church, Asbury United Methodist across the street from Sheetz. I love seeing the packed parking lot because that means many of my friends and their children are in there. Growing up in a larger church, I used to get lost, so I like the fact that this brown brick building is not too imposing as I stand outside of it. The sidewalk leads to glass doors that open into a warm, earthy environment with cream colored tiles that lead to the brown carpeting. The entry way is very open since they took down a few other sets of doors and spread things out a few years ago. It is much more inviting. When I walk through the doors, I see smiling faces, I hear laughter, and I feel at home. What I really love about the narthex at the entrance is that depending on the direction I look, I can see everything. Looking to the right, the stairs lead up and down to the education and music areas, a place where I spend a lot of time singing in the choir and heading Sunday School as director. The tiled floor creates an echo in the hallway whenever the kids run up to their classrooms. Straight ahead is the office with the squeaky door that opens into the mauve colored room; it’s an inviting place, especially during the week because of the music the secretary always has playing. Behind me is Fellowship Hall and the kitchen, filled with the scents of coffee and breakfast goodies to welcome the morning. To the left is the sanctuary, separated by glass doors that give it a sense of hallowed ground. When I pull open the glass doors, they make a hushed sound, which provides a focus as we all enter. The brown carpeting and bricks with beautiful wood accents throughout create a sense of stability within my life. Thinking about Sunday mornings, it’s funny how everyone in the sanctuary seems to have his/her own “seat”, and it is wonderful to get in there early to catch up with my friends around me about their weeks. When I’m in here, the things that catch my attention the most, especially when the lights are dimmed, are the two stained glass windows at each side of the pulpit. I get mesmerized by them constantly. It’s hard to explain the sense of calmness that surrounds me in this place. Nothing has ever come close to the sense of comfort and peace of mind my church and its members provide for me. And I love the fact that my kids are just as comfortable in this place as I am.